The forward was awarded his fourth Golden Shoe for being Europe’s top goalscorer in 2014-15 on Tuesday – a prize his coach says he can win again

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to break his own goalscoring records after he was awarded the Golden Shoe for a fourth time.

The 30-year-old received the prize after ending the 2014-15 season as the highest scorer across Europe’s top leagues, with a tally of 48 strikes in La Liga.

Ronaldo has now won the award more times than any other player having surpassed Barcelona’s Lionel Messi’s tally of three and Benitez has tipped him to surpass last season’s haul.

He told Real Madrid’s official website: “Cristiano Ronaldo keeps on setting new records. Obviously we’re talking about a player with a lot of talent and quality, and to surpass Raúl as the club’s all-time top goalscorer says it all.

“This is a player who is not only smashing records, but who is still hungry for more, full of ambition and capable of improving on his figures even further.”

Benitez was also pleased to see Ronaldo acknowledge the role of his team-mates in amassing his incredible goal tally and paid tribute to his continued professionalism.

“These numbers, figures and trophies are extremely difficult to achieve and they show that he is a very persistent player who possesses that inner drive to better himself which sets him apart.

“Whenever you have a player who scores so many goals, the team are going to win more games. He spoke clearly and thanked his team-mates.

“He’s aware of how big a role they play for him and all the success he is enjoying.”